The Minneapolis Foundation, in partnership with Minnesota Census Mobilization Partnership, Minnesota Council on Foundations and the State of Minnesota, is administering state-funded grants to support Minnesota’s Complete Count Committees, working to achieve a complete and accurate count of Minnesota residents during the 2020 Census. 

People with disabilities are all too often undercounted as part of the census. Make sure everyone is counted. Census data help policymakers at all levels of government make a wide array of decisions which affect everyone’s lives. Countless programs are affected by census data, so everyone needs to be counted. 

A Complete Count Committee (CCC) may be established by tribal, state, and local governments, and/or community leaders, to increase awareness about the census, and motivate residents in the community to fill out the census form. The committees work best when they include a cross-section of community representatives from government agencies, education, business, religious organizations, and the media. The CCC is charged with developing and implementing a plan designed to target the unique characteristics of their community. 

To be eligible for a Complete Count Committee grant in the amount of $750, applicants must meet the following requirements: 

• Have submitted a written request to the U.S. Census Bureau to register as a Complete Count Committee for Census 2020 

• Be a non-profit entity (501c3, government entity, school district, college or university) or operate under a fiscal agent. 

• Agree to participate in one census outreach training provided by the MN State Demographic Center 

• Agree to participate in the Commit to Be Counted digital organizing campaign that will be managed by the MN State Demographic Center 

• Agree to use the grant for at least one of the following purposes: 1) Digital organizing; 2) Outreach to residents in high-density housing; or 3) Efforts to target historically undercounted communities. The 2020 Census in Minnesota 

As the 2020 Census approaches, what’s on the line for Minnesotans? In a study to analyze the financial impact of census data on states, the George Washington Institute of Public Policy determined that in 2016 alone, Minnesota received more than $15 billion through 55 federal spending programs guided by data derived from the 2010 Census. Medicaid and federal student loans were the largest categories. 

It’s also important to note that, while high participation by Minnesotans in the 2010 Census resulted in our state retaining all of its congressional representation, population shifts coupled with a low response rate in a 2020 Census threaten to cost Minnesota a congressional district. An accurate count is essential to maintain our political representation as well as increase fair government funding of assistance to families. 

The Minneapolis Foundation is a partner of the Minnesota Census Mobilization Partnership, which was formed in 2016 to prepare for the 2020 Census. The state is poised for success because of key leadership from the Minnesota Council on Foundations, Minnesotans for the American Community Survey, and the Minnesota State Demographer’s Office. The Partnership’s success is also due to the ongoing input and participation of many diverse, cross-sector voices. 

Applications will be accepted until the allocated state funds are spent. If the eligibility criteria are met, a grant in the amount of $750 will be sent within three weeks of submitting the request. 

For more information, go to www.minneapolisfoundation.org